Plasma Current Start-up by ECW and Vertical Field in the TST-2 Spherical Tokamak

Abstract

Plasma current start-up and ramp-up to 10 kA have been demonstrated in the TST-2 spherical tokamak without the use of the central solenoid. Only the electron cyclotron wave (ECW) and the outer equilibrium field coils are used. The plasma current evolution depends on the poloidal coil arrangement. It is also demonstrated that the plasma current start-up can take place without the field null.